bowhunterx

Anybody have any good ideas as to how to get a good deer santuary established. I have 80 acres of mountain property in WVA with 2 acres of various food and hunt plots through out the property but very few thick areas to hold deer. Everything that travels to my plots get shot while in route from neighboring properties. Was considering having 10 to 20 acres logged in a secluded area of my parcel and replanting with pine and other native fast growing evergreens. I considered hidge cutting but it looks like it would be a huge job and I hate to have all the timber go to waste. The area I'm thinking of is open woods with good hardwoods. Also a little concerned with how long it may take to thicken up. Any advice or experiences would be appriciated. Don't want to cut and regret later on.

hossdaniels

Hinge cutting is usually done on smaller, low value tress. Think maple or sweetgum. A little sunlight will get you some cover started in one growing season, but 2 years will really thicken it up. Make some bedding areas and then leave it alone. You dont need to do the entire 80 acre block.

Logging a section isn't a bad idea. Diversity is the key.

bowhunterx

Wouldn't happen to have any consulting resources in the Hardy County, WV area would you. I'd like to put together a plan that would address my long & short term goals with someone experienced in the area before I start doing anything I may regret later.

hossdaniels

I'm sure you could get someone to help do your plan. State biologists are a good start, and usually free. Look for a habitat specialist if you are bringing someone in. I'm fairly well versed in habitat work but food plots are my real specialty. I could recommend some folks that specialize in that kind of work. Shoot me a email if you like.

halfbakedi420

never gonna create a sanctuary...the deer know where it is safe already...
i would plant fruit bearing tree's like acorn or pecan..like the 100 gallon one's.
yeah it wont pay right away, but when it does its a good food plot.
pines will take at least 8 years to pay off as far as cover goes, unless you tend to them hand and foot.
we didnt even really see them all for 4-5 years, i mean a few, but for the longest time we thought they didnt plant a 20 acre section...and eventually we could see they did after they grew taller than the grass.

hossdaniels

I have seen it done several times. If your property isn't holding deer because it isn't safe for them, make it safe for them. Hunting where the deer are only works if you already have the deer on your property.

bowhunterx

The 10 to 20 acre area I was considering logging and turning into a santuary is an area where the deer do like to bed but in small numbers since it's currently a small area with very little cover. The property currently has lots of white oak, chestnut oak, and red oak for brows as well as 2 acres of food plots and water. What I severly lack is good cover. Halfbaked, you mentioned it took 4 or 5 years for the pines to start comming up. Were these planted as seeds or sapplings and would you recommend any other variety of pine?

bowhunterx

Thanks for the info Hossdaniels. I'll start with the Local Biologist and pick his brain.

Topgun 3006

Not trying to be pissy, but you are asking about a SANCTUARY!

halfbakedi420

they were saplings.18" er so tall. the grass grew taller than they were the 1st spring. someone suggested the grass help protect them, but i dont know for sure. we used drought tolerant pines.